Paddle-wheel



(No Model.)

M. RICHTER. PADDLE WHEEL.

No. 435,859. Patented Sept. 2. 1890.

ATTU/TNEYS UNTTED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

MAURICE RICHTER, OF VVILLIAMSTOIVN, VEST VIRGINIA.

PADDLE-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 435,859, dated September 2, 1890.

Application filed February 24, 1890. Serial No. 341,630. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAURICE RICHTER, of IVilliamstown, in the county of \Vood and State of IVest Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Paddle-\Vhecls, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved paddle-wheel, and is applicable to the construction. of side wheels or stern wheels for steamboats; and

the invention consists in certaln novel con-.

structions and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of a wheel embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an end view thereof, and Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the paddles.

The main framing of the wheel and the shaft-comiections thereof may be of ordinary construction; but it is preferred to construct such framing as shown in the accompanying drawings, and as I will now describe.

To the shaft A are suitably secured radial arms B, which extend outward and are connected by inner rings C and outer rings D, the arms 13 being projected outward beyond the rings D and serving as back-supports to the paddles, presently described, such rings and arms B, C, and I) being securely bolted together and forming a simple strong frame, which may be easily constructed, erected, and repaired. It will be understood that the arms and rings are arranged in sets and the several sets are used in each wheel, the number of sets in each wheel depending upon the length thereof.

The paddles E consist of the blades F and the extension G, which extend from the inner edges of the blades and project forward with respect to the direction of motion of the wheel from said blades. These extensions G are preferably made with their portions (1 next the blades l1 inclined upward toward such blade, as such inclined portion eases the stroke of the wheel upon the water. This incline also helps the wheel to free itself of the water quicker when coming up out of the water. It will be seen that the extensions extend from one blade nearly to the other. The purpose of these extensions is to limit and in a large measure prevent the water from passing into the wheel.

It is well understood that the passage of the water into the wheel in ordinary paddlewheels greatly decreases the power of such wheel, causes the wheel to drag in the water, and operates, especially in shallow water, to produce that downward jarring or jolting of the boat so disagreeable to passengers and injurious to the wheel, the vessel, and the engines. By my invention I avoid these object-ions and difficulties, as the extensions G operate to prevent the quick passage of water into the wheel and to keep the wheel up on the water. At the same time the construction described causes the wheel to displace a great deal of water, and so provides a wheel which gives a greater propulsive force with the same amount of steam than the ordinary wheel.

In backing the wheel to stop the boat it will be seen that the extensions G serve to guide water into and hold it in the wheel, and.

so enable the boat to be quickly stopped.

Manifestly the blades and extensions may be made of wood or metal, and maybe made in any number of pieces desired.

The wheel consisting of the framing constructed as described, and the paddles consisting of blades and extensions, provides a strong rigid wheel.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new isl. The improvedpaddle-wheel having'at the inner edges of its blades or the edges of said blades nearest the center of the wheel forwardly-projeeted extensions consisting of main portions and inclined portions g, such portions g being arranged next to the blades and to incline outward from the rear edges of such main portions to the inner edges of the blades, all substantially as set forth.

2. The improved paddle-wheel herein described, having blades and extensions projected forward from the inner edges of said blades or the ed gcs thereof nearest the center of the wheel nearly to the next blade in advance, whereby to limit the passage of water into the wheel in the forward motion thereof and to hold the water in the wheel as the latter is backed, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination, in a paddle-wheel, of

the framing having outer rings and arms projected radially beyond the same, blades held to said rings with their inner edges out from or separate from the outer rings, and the extensions supported at their forward edges on the outer rings and united at their rear edges to the inner edges of the blades, substantially as set forth.

4. The improved paddle-Wheel herein described, consisting of the shaft, the inner and outer rings, the radial arms secured to the said shaft and rings and projected beyond the outer rings, the blades, and the extensions projected forward from the inner edges of the blades and having their portions next the said blades inclined, all being constructed 15 and arranged substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

MAURICE RICHTER. Witnesses:

GEO. A. HOOVER, H. B. MoKINNEY. 

